The Brazilian-born centre-back, who represented Slovakia at Under-21 level, will have to wait until the MLS secondary transfer window opens on 4 July to officially join the Lions, but Heath is hopeful that a deal will get done in due time.

“Nothing is confirmed yet,” the former Everton and Stoke forward told the Orlando Sentinel. “We’re hopeful. There’s still a lot to do, and hopefully it works out by the time he’s available to play for us.”

Teixeira originally joined Stoke from Slovakian side Dukla Banska Bystrica in June 2014 but has since struggled to establish himself at the Britannia Stadium, featuring just twice for Mark Hughes’ men after missing most of his first season in England with a broken foot.

The 6ft 4in stopper, whose contract expires in 2017, spent three months on loan at Fleetwood Town over the first half of this past campaign and now looks set to begin a new chapter of his career in the USA.

Orlando, who already have former Potters winger Brek Shea on their books, have been actively looking for help at centre-back since trading Aurelien Collin to the New York Red Bulls last month, and Teixeira would have a good chance of stepping straight into the line-up should he go on to complete a permanent move.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.